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ATL Radio History Question

T

TheChief611

Some years ago I was told by someone knowledgeable that there was once a CP or equivalent (this * I think* goes back to the 1920's or 1930's) for WGST to go to 50kW. This would make sense given it went on the air just after or about the same time as WSB. Most stations in those days had the chance to upgrade since there were so few on the air.

Does anyone know anything about this or have any info on when it was and what happened?
 
I believe that WGST is 50 kw during the daytime. I think that they are required to reduce power at night because there is another 50 kw clear channel on the 640 khz frequency.
 
I believe it was back in the the 1920's or 30's when the station was assigned to 920kHz. At the time, the station was owned by Georgia Tech. The FCC or its predecessor had assigned 920Khz to be a 50kw clear channel signal, like WSB. For whatever reason, Georgia Tech turned them down. Radio would have been more interesting in Atlanta with 2 clear channel signals.

I'm sure there are others on this board that can offer more information.

As for a CP for 640kHz....I doubt that frequency can be upgraded to 50kw around the clock unless Clear Channel (the company) purchased all the other 640kHz frequencies and shut them down. Won't happen as KFI is 50kw 24/7, and owned by CC. Besides, what would Deskins and Bloomquist do with a decent signal?
 
Even if KFI or any other station didn't occupy the frequency with 50 kw d/n, the FCC does not distribute Class A licenses anymore, and therefore no AM is permitted to upgrade to 50 kw around the clock. In fact, if a station downgrades from a Class A, it can never get it back. The licenses all exist through grandfather clauses.
 
Right - I wasn't clear in my question... Sorry.

I was asking about WGST when it was on 920kHz. The 640 signal is 50kW/1kW DA-2. It is limited by KFI at night (among others).

I was asking since I had seen an earlier post about WAGA and WATL.

Thanks
 
> the FCC does not distribute Class A licenses anymore, and therefore no AM is permitted to upgrade to 50 kw around the clock.

Untrue. If you can make it fit, usually with a carefully designed directional array, you can get it authorized.

LF
 
Back in the '60's, when CONELRAD was on 640 & 1240, there were many stations on 1240 but only 2 or 3 on 640: KFI (LA) and WHLO (Akron, OH) (A 640 in Oklahoma signed on soon after CONELRAD.) The 640 that came booming in at night like a local was from Cuba.

The Atlanta Journal started WSB in 1922 (March?), Its competitor, The Atlanta Constitution was granted a license (WGM?) 2 days later, but little is known about it. It was given to Ga. Tech (Georgia School of Technology) in 1929 - hence the heritage calls.

Most AM stations settled into their present frequencies as a result of the Nortn American Conference in the '40s that granted some clear channel frequencies to Canada & Mexico.

Look up Atlanta Radio History on the web. You'll be there a long time.
 
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